The Arab World has been a very important bilateral trade partner for Brazil, with Arab countries collectively accounting for a 2.72% growth in Brazilian imports in 2013 over the previous year, according to statistics from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). During the period, Brazil imported more than $11.399bn worth of products such as mineral fuel, fertilizers, plastic, glass and glassware, fish and seafood, and electric machinery.

The imported products came from countries including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq, among others. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the biggest exporter with $3.194bn, followed by Algeria at $3.074bn, Morocco, $1.434bn, Kuwait $1.016bn and Iraq $691m. As for UAE, Qatar and Egypt, UAE exports to Brazil almost doubled from $309m in 2012 to $610m in 2013, followed by Qatar and Egypt at $581m and $276m, respectively.

Dr. Michel Alaby, General Secretary and CEO of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Arab countries have been key trade partners of Brazil for a long time, with flourishing bilateral trade continuing to expand over the years. In 2013, we witnessed a tremendous increase in imports of fertilizers, plastics, and ships and boats, apart from traditional items such as mineral fuel and oil. The sustained growth also underlines the huge potential for promoting bilateral ties by opening up new trade routes in the region. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has always played a strategic role in facilitating trade relations between Brazilian and Arab traders to unlock further opportunities for boosting business activities.”

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has been established to consolidate and expand partnerships, generate opportunities and bring Arab and Brazilian companies together. It has been in operation for 62 years, playing an active role in boosting economic, cultural and tourism activities and facilitating the flow of information between Arabs and Brazilians.